Scaffold.



' A. W. FRENCH.

scArroLn. APPLICATION.FILI-l?` SEPT- l, |916.

Patented June 25, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. W. FRENCH.

SCAFFOLD.

APPLICATION msn sEPT. 1. 1915.

Patented Pune 25, 1919.

S/SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.mnu

Patented June 25, 19.18.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H CU

A. W. FRENCH.

SCAFFOLD.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- l. 19|6.

Patented. June 25, 1918.v

5 sHEETs-sHEH 4. Y

4Patented June 25, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A. W. FRENCH.

SCAFFOLD.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- l, l9l6.

JEBJED W. FRENCH, OF CHICAGO, IILIIIIN'CIS.A

SCAFFOLD.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patent-,Qd JHM@ 259 19111.

Application tiled September 1, 1916. Serial No. 117,985.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that ll, ALFRED W. FRENCH,

. a subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of illinois, have in vented a certain new and useful improvement in Scaifolds,y

o f which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming j platforms.

a part of this specification.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved portable, adjustable scaffold for supporting a platform or a series of rlhe invention furtherl aims t0 lighten the weight of the scaffolding or stagings, decrease the cost of the same and improve the operation and ease of handling.

More specifically my invention provides an improved form of sectional scaffolding drawings- Figure l is a perspective view of the sca-Holding which is adapted to enter a ing;

corner and to be adjustable up and down the side walls as would be required for the decoration of such walls;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic, sectional view showing the interior of a building and the manner in which the different forms of scaffolds may be placed in order to make possible work, such as decorating, along both the side walls and the ceiling of the build- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one of the posts with a lifting jack mounted there- Upon' rig. 4 is a top pian View of theiifang jack and post;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a pair of posts 'and a brace'between the posts;

' Fig.` 7 is a side elevation of the postsa-nd u l Vthe brace fastening'them together;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the cross pieces or putlogs between the jack members which travel on the posts and of a bracket supporting the putlog; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-section through the an le iron forming a part of the putlogs.

he scaffolding of my invention is selfsupporting as distin uished from the sus- Vpended scaffolding w ich is commen in the art.

rllhe question of providing scaffolding for typical operations with respect to buildings such, for instance, as decorating, presents two distinct problems requiring distinct types of construction. Oneproblem is the provision of scaffolding which Will enable the decorating of the side Walls to be carried on conveniently and expeditiously, and the other problem is to provide scaffolding which will permitl the ceiling to be decorated. Any other walls both inside and outside present no distinct problem over the above. For operations on a vertical wall, such as a side wall of a building, I provide the type of scaffolding illustrated diagrarnmatically in Fig. 1. This comprises essentially the vertical posts or columns 1 which are preferably formed of round iron pipe and rest upon suitable flangesQ secured to their lower ends. These flanges 2 form cylindrical pedestals of small area. These columns are preferably arranged inpairs between each pair of which is arranged a putlog 3 fastened at each'end to a climbing jack l which jacks are mounted upon the columns and are adapted to beoperated so as to climb up along the column and raise with them the putlogs 3. Suitable braces 5, which are adjustable in length, are connected to the columns l of each pair and other adjustable braces 6 are connected to the columns 1 between pairs. y lft is obvious that diagonal braces may als be employed-that is to say, braces running diagonally between the posts or columns 1 or braces running diagonally between the braces 5 or 6. Suitable boards or lanks 7 are laid across adjacent putlogs to orm the platform. The ends of the planks are overlapped, as shown in`Fig. l, to form a continuous platform.

rlhe othertype'of platform, namely that adapted forgiving access to a horizontal or substantially horizontal wall such as a Ceiling, is illustrated in rig. 2.V t .the aghi;

20 of six feet in order to permita workman to of 2 is indicated the adjustable type of scaffolding for permitting operation on the side wall 9, this type of scaffolding being that shown in Fig. 1. The remainder of the scaffolding is relatively non-adjustable and is adapted to formplatforms for permitting the workmen to operate upon the4 ceiling` 10 and the dome 11. The same vtype -of column or post 1 is employed and the same type of transverse braces 5 and longi- ,tudinal braces 6 are also employed. The

stand upright without bumping his head and still be close enough to the ceiling to work upon the same. In a building where irregularities of the ceiling exist, such as where a dome, as 11, is formed, it is apparent that platforms 14, 15, .16, etc., may be adjusted at suchjheightas to be convenient incarrying on operations.

' In the case of an intermediate vertical'wall itis apparent that jacks 4and `pu tlogs 3 may be employed for providing a movable platform at 'such point in the same manner as that illustrated to the right of Fig. 2.

The structure of the jack 4 is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and` 5. A

It is to be understood primarily that the -corner' posts`1 or columns 1 are not continuous pieces of pipe but are sections joined together by suitable couplings, preferably in themanner shown in Figs. 3 and 5. A round 'pil-1150i substantially thesame diameter as, the inside of the pipe 1 is secured in the one end of each section as by a rivet 16 or similar means. It is obvious that the plug or pin 15 may be welded to the pipe-1 if desired. The lower end of the next pipe section is left open and forms a socket wfhich fits'over the pinor stud 15 with a close,

sliding t so that the walls of adjacent sec tions, such as 17 and 18, are when in place in effect a continuous length ofpipe. The

jacks 4 comprise an upper grippmg member f 19 and a lower grippmg member 20. .The

' having an elbow slot 23 therein for receiv lower gripping member comprises an outer shell' or casing 21.. This shellis provided with a pair of lugs or extensions 22, each ing and holding the transverse pins 24 at -the ends of the putlogs (see Figs. 9 and 10).

AV pair of rollers 25 and 26 are .mounted upon the bolts 27 which pass through the casing 21, and the semi-circular gripping jaws- 28 have Ainclined faces 29 which cooperate with the rollers 25 and 26 to grip smoother.

the column 1. The gripping jaws 28 are pressed between the rollers and the columns by means of the springs 30 which rest against the bottom plate 31. The bottom plate 31 is provided with a tubular extension 32, which forms a guide for the holding member 20 to permit easier movement of the same along the column. The inside of the tubular member 32 is recessed or relieved as shown at 33 to make the action A flanged sleeve 34 lies within the upper end 0f the shell 21, `with the fiangc lying upon the outside thereof, this sleeve being of such a length as to permit it when pressed downwardly to disengage the gripping jaws 28 from their gripping position between the rollers 25, 26 and the sides of the column. v

It is to be noted that the inner surface of the gripping jaws 28 is recessed as shown at 35 in order to form a suitable engaging face. The upper gripping member 19 is constructed in a similar manner, this member being provided with suitable lugs 36, to which the ends of a forked lever member 37 are pivoted. The lever member 37 is forked as shown and is provided with a suitable socket 38 into which a short piece of pipe 39 may be inserted to act as a lever. A pair of links 40 are connected at their upper ends to the forkedlevcr member 37 and are connected at their lower ends to the'gripping member 20. The putlog 3 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 9 and 10.- This comprises a length of angle iron 42 extending over the major 'distance between the jacks 4 upon adjacent ones of the column forming a pair. An extension member 43, formed also of a piece of angle iron extends the rest of the way. The angle irons 42 and 43 have their adjacent anges perforated as shown air/44 and 45 to permit of a relative adjustment of the length of the putlogs by means of the bolts 46. Each one of the4 members 42 and 43 is provided at its outer extremity with a transverse pin 24, as previously explained, which vdrops into the notch 23 of the adjacent lug 22.- The pin 24 is preferably formed as shown in Fig. 10 having a reduced shank portion 47 passing through the one leg of the angle bar and through a collar 48, upon Ithe outer end of which it is riveted.

The braces 5 and 6 are similar in construction, the details of which are shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. A'A suitable length of pipe y49 forms. the shaft of the brace and clamping means .are provided at each end of the shaft for gripping the column Upon one end of the shaft 49 an engaging piece or saddle 50 is secured as by means of the pin 5.1, the sadddle member50 being formed with asocket into which the end of the pipe 49 projects. A U shaped clamping member 52, which is iso provided with a central hub 53, is mounted .upon the pipe 49. The ends of the U shaped `this member'is in engagement. rlhe arms of the U shaped gripping member 52 are suitably reinforced by ribs lor the 'like to make this -member light and ait the same time sufficiently strong to'secure afirm grip upon the column 1. lt is to be noted that the claws 54 are faced in the same general direction, so that the gripping member 52 may be applied to the column by a simple rotary motion. Adjacent spaces of the socket melnber and of the hub member 53 are cut away to form cam surfaces at 55 and 56, as is clearly indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, and a 4cam collar 57 lies between the two members and is adaptedr tov force the `same apart by Working of thecam collar 57 between the hub 53 and the hub lof the memloer 50. The cam collar 57 Aisfprovided with a suitable operating handle 58, by means of which the collar may be'rotated on the pipe 49 into the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7,-

forcing the hook'member 52 and the saddle member 50 apart in order to grip the column 1. It is thus apparent that the shaft of thebrace, that is the pipe 49 is securely gripped to the column 1. The opposite end of the pipe49 is provided with grippingl means for engaging a corresponding column,

-upon the pipe 49 adjacent the hub 53.

this particular gripping means being adjustable on the pipe 49 so as to form a suitable brace betweencolumns of diderent distances apart. j

The pipe 49 passes loosely throughthe hub 53 of a gripping member 59,7which is similar in all respects to the member '52, except that the plane of 29 is inclined to the axis of the pipe 49. Similarly, a lcam collar 57, having a handle 58, lies loosely .A clutch member 60 connects the pipe 49 with the adjacent columnll. The clutch member 60 comprises a collar 61 having a `pair of.

ears 62 forming a slot between them, in which slot lies the finger 64 Vwhich is pivoted on a suitable pin 63 passing through 7 the lugs 62. The inner end of the finger 64 67 so that the projecting handle will not be is corrugated or roughened as shown at 65 in order to cause the same. to bite into and grip the adjacent side of the pipe 49 at the required point to form a secure connectiony agalnst endwlse movement of the plpe 49' with respect to the members 59, 60 and l. At the same time the pipe 1 is wedged between the fingers 64 and the pipe 49 so that a reliable gripping action is secured. The member 57 instead of being formed with the handle. 48 may be provided with a number of sockets 66 and a detachable handle in the way. Other suitable means may be ttt provided for turning the cam member 57 to wedge the parts 53 and-61 or the parts 53 and 50 away from each other.

rlhe `operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that the side walls of a building are to be decorated or operated upon, a platform of the general structure shown in Fig. l and shown at the right of Fig. 2 is erected. Bottom sections of the columns l are first placed.- in position in pairs at such a distance away from each Other as to accommodate a suitable width of platform. `.lack members 4 arc then placed upon the upper ends of the columns 1 and the p'utlogs 3 are connected between adjacent pairs of jacks withsuitable planks or boards 7 lying across the putlogs and forming the platform. 'llhel lowermostJ braces 5 and 6 are fastened to the columns 1 The right hand end of the brace, V,as shown in Figs. 6 and' 7 is first attached to its lcorresponding column 1 by moving the Ahandle 58 so that the cam collar 57 occupies the leastv space between the inclined faces 55 and 56 ofI the members'50 and 53. The saddle member 50 is placed against the column 1 and the U-shaped grippmg member or hook member 52 is hooked upon the outside of the ycolumn by ajsimple rotary motion.

The cam member 57 lis then rotated as by means 4of the handle 58 to wedge the vmembers 53 and 50 apart in order to grip lthe column l. The' other end of the pipe 49 which formsthe shaft of the brace lies lagainst v4the corresponding column 1, and

the collar member 61 is moved toward the corresponding column 1 until thisfcolumn is wedged between the pipe 49 and the finger 64. The corresponding cam collar 57 is moved into the position shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and the U-shaped hook member 59 is hooked about the column 1, after which the handle 58 is moved to rotate the cam member 57 thereby vforcing .the collar 61 and the hub 53 apart. The inner end 65 of the finger 64 is forced against` the side of the pipes 49 securely gripping thesame.

When the platform is to be raised with respect to the side wall a short'length of pipe 39 is inserted in the socket 38 of one or more of the jacks 4 andl thehandle is moved up and down to elevate the corresponding jack. In the drawings of Figs. 1

moved downward as is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, the lower gripping member 20 remains fixed and the upper gripping member is raised. lt will be understood that the opposite set of operations' occurs when a lever of the iirst class is employed as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In 'order to cause the jaw members 28,

which seize the sides of the column when I and 16 in Fig. 2, the columnsl are built up to the desired height by means of braces 5 and 6 and by suliicient sections of the columns 1 to bring the platform to the desired height. The members 12 which connect the putlogs for holding the platforms are constructed in substantially the same form as the' lower gripping member 20, shown in Figs. 3 and 5. That-is to say, the gripping members 12 which support the putlogs are readily adjustable as to height by depressing the flanged collar 34 and lifting or lowering the gripping member as a whole, but after they are once placed they are 4intended to remain while operations upon the particular wall, namely, the ceiling or dome, are being carried on and completed. Itis to be noted that the same columns may serve for supporting the relatively stationary platform y and for supporting the movable platform as is illustrated at the right of Fig. 1. As the platform 7 is moved up and down the corresponding braces may require to be disengaged and placed either above or below the platform as it travels or certain sections of the columns may require to be removed,

lbut this can be accomplished with relatively great ease and a minimum loss of time.

In erecting the platforms for the. ceiling such as 13, 14, 15 and 16 it is to be understood that' climbing jacks may be placed upon the lower sections of the columns 1 and the putlogs put in place with planks laid across them'and then the whole platform jacked up to the desired height. Y'lhus in certain cases it is easier to build the platform close to the ground and jack the same up rather than pass the planks up to construct the platform at an inconvenient distance above the ground. y

In general the columns are placed at the corners of a polygon, particularly a quadrilateral, and putlogs are supported upon jacks between pairs of the columns. The platform which rests upon the putlogs lies within the quadrilateral and thus any load placed on the platform subjects the columns to compression stresses only. It is obvious that instead of being set at the corners of a quadrilateral the columns maybe arranged in any way desired so long as the platform is supported upon putlogs running between pairs of columns.

It is apparent from the above description and the accompanying drawings that a system or scheme of scaffolding of the utmost flexibility and adaptability is provided. lt will also be apparent that the spacing of the colunms 1 need not be strictly regular or need it be strictly in a quadrilateral pattern. The columns with their interconnecting braces form in effect a trussed tower which is built up from interchangeable stock parts as operations require.

The ability to raise one corner at a time permits a single workman to raise a much greater effective weight on the platform than could be raised by the workman. if the platform were to be raised as a whole.

The climbing jacks might, of course, be of any suitable type butl have found that the jacks which I have provided are peculiarly well adapted to the situation. A workman is able to work them by a straight up and down motion which does not tend to make him slip or lose his balance on the platform. Furthermore the jacks are so organized that thelifting effect upon the platform occurs on the downward stroke of the operating handle or lever. AConsequently the weight of the workman is taken off the platform at the time the platform is raised and is transferred at that time to the lever. This permits the workman to use his weight at' a maximum advantage and to work with ease and a minimum of fatigue.

I It will be noted that the slot and pin connection23 between the climbing jack and the putlog provides a iexible and extensible `or lost motion connection which permits one end of the putlog to be'raised independently of the other end. It is apparent that the particular location or construction of the extensible or lost motion connection is not important. The operation desired is that the putlog extend from column to column in supporting position and either end of the putlog be independently operable to raise or lower without bending 4ormoving the columns.

It is apparent that numerous changes and modifications in detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A scaffolding compnsing four or more' columns adapted to form a skeleton tower,

parallelogrammatic in plan, put-logs conparenti i v necting the columns in pairs and bracing the same as tower elements and forming platform supports, and individual climbing means for each column each connected to one end of theput-log and 'having' a lost motion connection so that either end ,of the put-log may be shifted vertically a substantial distance independently of the other end thereof, said climbing means being operable from a platform carried by said put-log.

2. A scaolding comprising four or more columns having braces to form in effect a skeleton tower parallelogrammatic'in plan, putlogs connecting the columns in pairs and forming platform supports, and individual climbing means for each column, each putlog being guided along said columns and 4 being supported at its ends by the climbing means and having an extensible connection putlog may be shiftedvertically a substantial distanceindependently of the other end thereof, said climbing means being operable from a platform carried by said putlogs'.

3. In combination, four columns, a climbing. jack on each column, each jack being independently operable from the platform, two putlogs lying substantially parallel to 'each other and having a lost motion connection withfthe jacks, a row of planks across the putlogs formingy a platform, and removable bracing means belowv the jacks 4rigidly l interconnecting the columns.

4. lin combination, a platform, a series of columns locatedV at the corners of the platform, vindependently operable climbing means lon each column, said climbing means being provided with operating members' `adapted' to be operated from the platform to raise one corner of the platform at a time, `putlogs connected at each end to the climbing means .and having lost motion connection with the climbing means, said platform be" to grip the column upon the inception of -downward movement, a lever fulcrumed at the center" to the upper gripping member,

said lever having a handle projecting over the platform, a' link' connecting the outer end of the lever with the lower gripping member, and a putlog connected between the -lower gripping members of the jack, said putlog being adapted to support one end of the platform, said putlo having a slidable connection with the attac ed gripping members.

6. ln'combination, a plurality of similar upright columns of indefinite length ar eration of the corresponding jacks to ranged at the corners of a polygon, climbing jacks on said columns, adapted to grip said columns at any point along their length, putlogs connecting pairs of said climbing jacks, said climbing jacks being all inde-- ing them rigidly to-gether and'planks lyingl across the putlogs to form a platform, said platform lying within the closed figurebounded by said columns so that the load on the platform subjects the columns to compression stresses only.

7. In a scaold, a plurality of columns lying in the perimeter of a polygon, gripping means on said columns, a vertically between columns so that either end of a` split lug extending from each of said gripping means, said lugs being provided with horizontal slots, putlogs extending between the lugs of pairs of said gripping means,

said-l putlogs comprising each an angle b'ar having one leg of the angle Iadapted to lie between the parts of the split-lugs and transverse pins passing throughthe anglebar and lying in the slots of the lugs;

8. lln a scaffold, a plurality of columns arranged at the corners of a polygon, gripping means on said columns, a split lug extending from each of said gripping means,

said lug being providedwith an [open slot,

a putlog extending between a pair of gripping means, said putlog comprising a pair of angle bars having vertical legs adjustably clamped together and having their horizontal legs extending in opposite directions,

transverse pins in the outer ends of the angle bars adapted to lie in the open slots of the split lugs.

9. A brace for engaging a column, said brace comprising a rod, a forked memberhaving an odset hub member and ofsetclaw members, said rod extending through said `hub and pastthe side of said column, a column engaging member comprising a collar,

a lever pivoted on said collar, one end of said lever' being adapted to engage the column. and the other end being adapted to engage said rod and cam means on the rod between the hub and the collar for forcing the lever into engaging position with respect to said column and said rod.

10. 'lln combination, a plurality of columns, a jack for each column, a putlo supported between a pair of acks, a secon putlog between another pair of jacks, and a platform supported by said putlogs, said Jacks comprising each a parir of gripping members adapted alternately during the opr1 the column and carry apart of the we? hlt of the platform, while the other gripping member is being moved upwardly, said putllllO logs having a slidable: connection to permit of individual operation'of each jack Without bindin the other jack..

11. l combination, a plurality of col-- umns, said columns being placed at thecorners of a quadrilateral said columns comprising sections of pipe adapted to be extended vertically indefinitely, braces between said columns, said braces comprising a bifurcated engaging member for engaging one side of the column and a central engaging member for engaging the other side of the column at each end of said brace, cam means' between/said engaging members for causing said engaging means to press firmly upon opposite sides of said columns and a quadrilateral platform supported at its corners by said columns.

12. In combination, a plurality of columns, said columns Vcomprising sections of Y pipe extending vertically, braces between said columns, said braces comprisin a bifurcated engaging member for engagmg one side of the column and a central engaging member for engaging the other side of the column at each end of said brace, and cam means for causing said engaging means to press firmly upon opposite sides of said column, the bifurcated and the central engaging members of one end of each brace being adjustable relative to the length of said brace independently of the cam means.

13. In combination, a vertical column 'comprising a section of iron pipe, a brace comprising a section of iron pipeheld at.

substantially right angles to said column and lying against the sides of said column, a central engaging member and a bifurcated outer engaging member, cam meanson said brace for forcing said engaging members into firm engagement with said column, saidcentralengaging member having means to grip `the, pipe comprising the brace, said gripping means being controlled by said cam means.

14. In combination, a vertical column comprising a piece of pipe, a transverse brace comprising apiece of pipe, a slotted Y ings, laterally extending lugs on said castings, said lugs having an open slot therein and lying substantially parallel to each other, a putlog between the lugs of adjacent gripping members, said putlog comprising a pair of angle bars having pins at their outer extremities for engaging said slots and means for adjustably clamping said angle bars together.

16. In combination, a plurality of similar upright columns of indefinite length arranged at the corners of a polygon, climbing means on said columns adapted to be supported on said columns at any desired point along their length,iputlogs connecting said climbing means, said climbing means being all independently operable and having means to permit them to be operated from the platform, said put-logs and climbing means being connected together upon the columns by a lost motion connection permitting relative motion between them but holding them rigidly in supporting position, and' planks lying across the put-logs to form a platform, said platform lyin Within the closed figure bounded by sai columnsso that the oad on the platform, when the platform is level, subjects the columns tocompression only.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe :rlryname this 30th day of August, A. D.

ALFRED W. FRENCH. 

